When everyone’s stuck at home with nothing to do, playing video games to pass the time is a fun choice. Whether playing single player or with your entire family, there are awesome gifts for gamers of any age.
TO XBOX OR NOT TO XBOX
Console wars have heated up again, and people don’t know whether to buy Microsoft’s Xbox Series X or Sony’s PS5. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but it ultimately comes down to the exclusive games each offer. Exclusive games are video games that only play on one console rather than on all platforms. Since both consoles have arguably similar hardware, the choice of one console over the other can be made based on the video games it offers. The Xbox Series X has multiple exclusive games that are available or releas- ing soon, such as “Halo 5,” “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2,” “Project Mara,” “Microsoft Flight Simulator” and other notable games.
The PS5 boasts many exclusive titles as well, such as “Spider-Man: Miles Morales,” “Demon Souls,” “Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart,” “Project Athia” and more. Do keep in mind that the PS5 is not as powerful as Xbox Series X in computing power, but has support for PSVR. PSVR or PlayStation Virtual Reality is Sony’s console-powered VR headset. The PlayStation 5 also makes up for the lesser computing ability by having a much more advanced controller. The PS5 controller is a major upgrade from the PS4’s controller with features such as triggers that change how far they can be clicked, or high-definition haptic feedback. The Xbox Series X controller remains nearly unchanged, with a couple of minor upgrades.
BACK TO (VIRTUAL) REALITY
Virtual reality (VR) is on the rise; it is a new way for people to connect around the world. Rather than traditional video calls, which are 2-dimensional, virtual reality is 3-D and can provide all sorts of entertainment. From watching movies in a virtual theater to going on a quest with a best friend, there are many virtual worlds to explore. There are lots of VR headsets out there, but most are not as simple to set up as the Oculus Quest 2 from Facebook ($299). The Quest can be set up anywhere, and unlike traditional VR headsets, it processes everything within the headset. Higher end headsets such as the Valve Index (Valve; $999) can be hooked up to a gaming computer to get a more immersive and greater experience.
SWITCHING TO A HANDHELD
The Nintendo Switch (Nintendo, $299) is an entirely different world compared to traditional consoles. It is a handheld/TV game console hybrid. Players can quickly “switch” from TV to handheld mode and keep on playing their favorite Nintendo exclusives such as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “Super Mario Odyssey” and more. Some people enjoy playing handheld and won’t find themselves playing on a TV often. That’s where the Switch Lite (Nintendo, $199) shines. It is a smaller version of the Switch and it cannot be docked to show on a TV. The Switch Lite is a more affordable version of the Switch for more casual gamers.
THE PC EXPERIENCE
Gaming on a computer offers an experience no console can offer. Buying a gaming PC, or even building one, is the best way to play games. While computers can be cheaper than consoles, they can also be significantly more expensive than any console. iBuyPower is one of the more affordable custom PC builders, giving buyers the best bang for their buck. CyberPowerPC on the other hand has a broader range of computers and configurations. Alienware computers by Dell have a bit of a hefty price, but they make good gaming laptops for people on the go. OriginPC, started by three former Alienware employees, has very high-quality builds, something that buyers will have to pay a premium for. Customers get lots of customizability but the tradeoff is it’s not easy on the wallet.
Then there’s the Corsair One which is a very compact PC that almost looks like a console. Don’t get fooled though: It’s a very capable computer.
While those are just some of the gaming PC building brands out there, nothing beats building a PC on your own, and it isn’t as hard as it sounds. Heading to pcpartpicker.com to draft an imaginary computer is a great way to start. There are thousands of build guides online and, with a little practice, anyone can build a PC.
The holiday season is always a fun time for gamers. Whether it’s entering a new virtual reality world or playing on an updated version of a favorite console, those who receive video games and gaming equipment are the real winners during the holidays.
Vincent Sajkowski is a sophomore at Ranney School in Tinton Falls. He is a software developer whose apps, available on the App Store, have helped many fellow students. He plans to continue studying computer science.
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 3 – 9, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
